Sister starting to have fibro symptoms.

Hi Everyone,

My sister and her family were just down visiting for my son's birthday, and we got to talking and she told me she's been having some symptoms that are concerning her. She's experiencing burning pain in her hips and thighs as well as tender, bruised feeling spots on her shoulders. She said she was worried it might be fibro but hasn't yet talked to her Dr. I told her she really needed to read through the symptom list here and see how much she's experiencing as that will help her when she goes to see her Dr., but she didn't want to look at the list while she was here. Our other sister and our mother both have fibro and fibro symptoms (our mother has never been officially diagnosed) but they both are basically pain killer addicts. Please know that I do not think there is ANYTHING wrong with using pain medications! My mom and other sister really do abuse them, though and I think my sis is reluctant to go down the fibro path because of this. She basically said that she refuses to be like our mom and sister and also that a fibro diagnosis really scares her because she sees what I go through. I understand her not wanting to have fibro (who on earth would want this!!), but I am worried that she is going to ignore her symptoms until they get worse...Has anyone else been in this situation with a family member? If so, what did you say and how did you say it? I really want to help her, but I don't want to push things on her, you know?

I would really would appreciate any advice anyone might have on this..

~Danielle

Hi and Welcome Diana!

Thank you so much for your thoughts!

My sister has been trying to deal with the pain with Allieve, Motrin 800's, and even one of my mom's Loratab, and nothing really helped, which is part of why she's thinking she might have fibro.

I think she's concerned because our sister especially has really gotten out of hand with her usage of pain pills and she's afraid that if she does have fibro and even starts to take pills, she might end up like our other sister. Also, I think she looks at me (I do not take any meds at all for my fibro) and doesn't want to go through THAT, either, you know?

I don't know..I will keep gently trying to get her to go in and see her Dr. I know right now she's preoccupied with motherhood as she just had a baby in June, but she can't let that keep her from taking care of herself, too!

You know, that's an excellent question. I was just thinking about this on a personal level the other day..I give and give to my kids and my husband and other family, all the while not taking the best care of myself. I am to the point where I am getting burned out and that of course is only making my fibro worse. Why do I do this? I am not sure where I learned it-I wasn't raised by my mother and the grandmother who was the main female influence in my life during my formative years wasn't like this at all. Yes, she gave and cared for everyone around her, but she also took time for HER and what she wanted to do. Then again, by the time I was born she was in her 60's, so maybe self care was something she just finally put her foot down about at some point? She's no longer alive for me to ask her, but I have to wonder..

Good conversation-I'm glad you've joined us!!